My DCIS journey...so far

[Squeezylou]

I was diagnosed on 19th Dec with a non invasive DCIS and have recently undergone an operation which resulted in losing half of my right breast. I've had no pain post-OP but mentally feel like I've been hit by a bus -a proper rollercoaster of emotions

[Bagrat]

I had DCIS 2 years ago but was very fortunate to stay more or less the same shape in spite of a long healing time for wound due to a complication.

I felt very fortunate it was non invasive but I think in spite of the advances in anaesthetics you really are under par for quite a while after - at least a month. You don't notice this till you pick up a bit.

Even though it's a good outlook you have had to contend with uncertainty and concern until your final results came through.

How are they suggesting you go forward, a prosthesis or breast reduction on other side. I was offered that as a possibility but in the event not needed.

Have a look at " knitted knockers" website. Volunteers knit all shapes and sizes to order to fill the gap . Often much lighter than the official prostheses.

I think it would be more weird if you weren't up and down at present.

I have great difficulty expressing my emotions so they usuall manifest themselves as anxiety and panic which I've learnt to deal with with mindfulness meditation and various mp3s.

Have always been anxious so that is who I am.

If you are struggling, always good to ring Macmillan help line or your breast care nurse. Breast Cancer Now have specialist nurses you can ring too - to talk through how you are feeling.

Best wishes

[Squeezylou in reply to Bagrat]

Wow-thanyou so much for that! This site is so full of positive news and support it's amazing! They have offered me a reduction on the opposite side once the radiotherapy has settled and there will be no more changes to the affected breast. The waiting around and the difference in size are the hardest parts for me at the minute but I know I will look back and realise it was,all for the best x thankyou for all your kind words and suggestions -much appreciated!💗

[Bagrat in reply to Squeezylou]

I found I wore "floaty scarves" a lot as a disguise while having radiotherapy as I abandoned my bras (and I'm a 38dd)

Perhaps should explain my DCIS was small so no radiotherapy then but

second annual mammogram showed probs and biopsy invasive ductal carcinoma again very small. So I had radiotherapy which finished in Dec.

They don't know if connected ( same boob) so very lucky to be having annual checks and caught really early again

[Lizcop]

I had DCIS almost 4 years ago and as it was widespread I had a left side mastectomy with Diep flap reconstruction. I was meant to have a the right side reduction at the same time but bled too much during surgery so it was abandoned.

That meant waiting a year for my reduction so tried all kinds ways to even things out; there was a couple of sizes difference.

I tried the floaty scarves but too hot in the summer! At first I couldn’t wear a normal bra so tried the soft stretchy type (they usually come with triangle shaped padding,

I put both pieces in one side...tried the knitted knockers but that didn’t look right, so the best thing I found was to buy some cheap padded bras and carefully cut the padding out one side, leaving the outer layer which nicely evened out the difference in sizes.

Hope that helps and you get your reduction soon. 💕

[Squeezylou in reply to Lizcop]

Thankyou-these suggestions are alm so helpful xx really appreciate your time to reply 💝

[GinaD19]

Hi Squeezylou, I had DCIS 8 years ago in February 2012. They initially removed about 20% of my right breast but then discovered a tiny invasive cancer near the site that was too small to show up on the mamogram or ultra sound so a week or so later I then had a full mastectomy. The hospital were very good. I was a size 38GG so they made sure that the prothesis they gave me matched my left breast in size, shape and weight. I bought mastectomy bras and it fitted nicely inside. I eventually went on to have a mastectomy on my left breast and implants on both sides. I don't recall either operation being excessively painful. The implant operations were horrendous though and I would never go through that again. Emotionally I just told myself to just get on with it. It is what it is!! Yes, I would have preferred to not have had the operations but I am alive 8 years later and so very grateful that they found it in time. Look forward, Squeezylou and you'll be fine xx

[JoJorock]

Hi S Lou

Feel your frustrations and hopes to heal sooner .

Trust in your soul you are and will be recovering successfully, and the good news is the cancer is out !

[Squeezylou in reply to JoJorock]

Thankyou x I saw my surgeon yesterday and he confirmed all the cancerous tissue had been removed!🏆 next step radiotherapy- all a step closer to getting back to normal life again!💝

[Hidden]

My tumour was Ductal Invasive, 3cm and it had spread to the Lobule and Lymph nodes beneat my arm. My only regret is that I didn't get rid of them both. I tried wearing a prosthetic breast - awful. But I hate this huge fat dangly thing I'm left with.